Thought someone might be interested in this screen shot from Marine Traffic showing the two tugs towing the broken down cruise liner back to port off Gippsland.
Sorry its not about sailing!
Looks like she is lining up with her tugs to enter on the slack predicted or 2.45pm.
Can't help wondering what problem they have that the on board engineers can't fix that someone in Melbourne will. If its parts they need l am sure they hold the basics on board so it would have to be something likely needing to be imported...
Pop down to Supercheap or JV Marine?
I read it's a problem in an Azipod. These are externally mounted propulsion units with a ginormous electric motor which hang off the bottom of the hull. I imagine getting into one might be a tad tricky out in BS. Must be whole different ball game slipping ships that have these, and very exciting, not in a fun way, when they run aground!!!!
Cheers, Graeme
Haven't gone to google yet but what are these azipods? the name suggests something like a pod-drive system, maybe taking the place of a bow/stern thruster. If not I'm claiming rights to a new bow thruster design, an in-hull vertical tube that houses a retractable pod-drive, probably electrically driven. Make me an offer.
The Azipod is like a saildrive with the ability to turn 360 degrees with the electric motor in the drive.
They had problems with one of the azipods for weeks now and have been limping around on one drive now it's gone too, so no drive at all.
This is what makes sailing and ships so interesting. Searching for Azipod I discovered the history of these drives, and learned about the double acting ice breaking ship. They break through ice going astern. With a prop at the front the fluid flow along the hull lubricates the hull, and allows more efficient ice breaking. Then for open water they turn around and have the " traditional " bulbus bow for efficiency in that mode. Amazing!
Someone I know told me how their dad, an old salt used to the cumbersome days of yore, almost wept when he saw how easily these vessels with swivelling azipods and bow thrusters can slide into a berth, usually without tug assistance.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
There would not be a cruise ship sailing today with out azipods.
Unfortunately P & O Australia don't have any in their fleet, but having been on the Carnival Spirit and Legend several times their ease at docking is unbelievable, the only time they had tugs to assist was in Sydney harbour and only then because I think it was compulsory.
Select to expand quoteBedford81 said..Ramona said..
There would not be a cruise ship sailing today with out azipods.
Unfortunately P & O Australia don't have any in their fleet, but having been on the Carnival Spirit and Legend several times their ease at docking is unbelievable, the only time they had tugs to assist was in Sydney harbour and only then because I think it was compulsory.
Good point. I have done two cruises on the Jewel but all the other cruises have been on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess. Last one was on Carnival Spirit. Carnival Spirit manouvered exceptionally well but it was our worst cruise ship. Two more booked this year with Princess and Holland. It's the only way to cruise!
Just did a 14 night cruise around New Zealand on Royal Caribbean's newest Quantum Class ship, Ovation of the Seas.
It uses an "air lubrication system" that is designed to increase efficiency and reduce vibration from the propellers. There are several outlets along the bottom of the hull that pump out air bubbles. In-house TV had a video on the ship's construction and how the air system works.
Seems to work pretty well as the ship sailed incredibly smoothly. Main restaurants were above the azipods and there was virtually no vibration felt.
www.motorship.com/news101/ships-and-shipyards/royal-caribbeans-quantum-leap
